Input device for a computer system that utilizes ambient light, and a method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

An input device, to provide input to a computer system, includes a body defining multiple fluid channels. A movable element is located within each of the fluid channels so as to be movable and responsive to a fluid flow through the respective fluid channel. A light sensor is furthermore associated with each movable element, such that movement of the movable element varies an intensity of light to which the respective light sensor is exposed. The input device generates an input signal in accordance with the intensity of the light to which at least one light sensor of the input device is exposed.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationsNos. 60/402,994, filed Aug. 12, 2002, and 60/435,626, filed Dec. 19,2003 and U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/402,729, filed Mar. 28,2003, each of the above applications being incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to providing input to acomputer system and, in one exemplary embodiment, to an input device fora computer system that utilizes ambient light to control generation ofan input signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The mouse, in addition to the traditional keyboard, is one of the mostwidely deployed peripheral devices for providing input to a computersystem. A mouse is specifically suited to facilitating user navigationof a user interface that is presented by an application executing on therelevant computer system, and is typically utilized to control movementof a cursor over a presented user interface.

From a mechanical viewpoint, a mouse typically includes some mechanismfor detecting movement of the mouse over a surface. For example, such amechanism may be a ball that is rotatably mounted to an undersurface ofthe mouse, or an optical arrangement that is able to detect movement ofthe mouse over a surface. In addition to the movement detectingmechanism, a mouse also typically includes a processor that translatesdetected movement into one or more control signals, which are recognizedby a communication protocol (e.g., RS 232) of a port of the computersystem to which the mouse is coupled.

A mouse may furthermore include a user-selection mechanism (e.g., abutton) that is sensitive to a user input action (e.g., a depression ofthe button) to generate a further control signal (e.g., a selectionsignal) to the computer system.

To enable a mouse to interact with a computer system, the computersystem typically also executes control software, in the form of adriver, that provides application software with information concerningthe state and status of a mouse (e.g., movement and user-selectioninformation), so as to enable the application software to carry outactions responsive to these inputs.

A mouse is typically operated by a user moving the mouse over a surface,or moving a component (e.g., a ball rotatably mounted within the mouse).It will be appreciated that such movement of a mouse or a component ofthe mouse typically requires a hand movement by a user. However, incertain circumstances, it may be impractical, inconvenient or impossiblefor a user to directly and physically move the mouse, or a componentthereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aninput device to provide input to a computer system. The input deviceincludes body defining a fluid channel. A movable element is located tobe movable responsive to a fluid flow through the fluid channel. A lightsensor is located such that movement of the movable element varies anintensity of light with which the light sensor is illuminated, the lightsensor being to generate an input signal in accordance with theintensity of the light with which the light sensor is illuminated.

The body may define a plurality of fluid channels, and the input devicemay further include a plurality of movable elements, each of theplurality of movable elements being associated with a respective one ofthe plurality of fluid channels and being movable responsive to a fluidflow through the respective one of the plurality of channels. The inputdevice may also include a plurality of light sensors, each of theplurality of light sensor being associated with a respective one of theplurality of movable elements such that movement of the respectivemovable element varies an intensity of light with which the light sensoris illuminated, each of the plurality of light sensors being able togenerate one of a plurality of input signals in accordance with theintensity of light with which the respective light sensor isilluminated, each of the plurality of input signals operationallyproviding a differentiated input to a computer system.

In one embodiment, the movable element is located within the fluidchannel so as to be movable responsive to the fluid flow therethrough.

The movable element may be secured to the body at a fixed end thereof soas to be pivotably movable within the fluid channel.

The body may also define an inlet opening and an exhaust opening for thefluid channel.

In one embodiment, the body defines an opening through which the lightsensor is operationally illuminated with ambient light, and the lightsensor is located such that the movement of the movable element variesan intensity of ambient light with which the light sensor isilluminated.

A light channel may operationally channel the ambient light through theopening to illuminate the light sensor. A light channel may include alight-conductive material, such as a fiber optic thread.

In one embodiment, a window is located in the opening through which thelight sensor is operational exposed to the ambient light.

One embodiment of the input device may also include an artificial lightsource operationally to supplement the ambient light.

An ambient light sensor may operationally sense an intensity of theambient light, and the input device may include a controller to activatethe artificial light sensor when the intensity of the ambient light, assensed by the ambient light sensor, is below a predetermined minimum.The artificial light source may, in one embodiment, operationallysupplement the ambient light in accordance with a measured intensity ofthe ambient light. The artificial light source may operationally alsosupplement the ambient light so as to illuminate the light sensor with acombined intensity above a predetermined minimum intensity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedan input device to provide input to a computer system. The input deviceincludes plurality of light sensors, each to generate a discrete output,and arranged operationally to be illuminated by ambient light. Acontroller, coupled to each of the plurality of light sensors,operationally generates an input to a computer system based on at leastone discrete output received from the plurality of light sensors.

The device includes, in one embodiment, a body to which each of theplurality of light sensors is attached. Each of the plurality of lightsensors may be accommodated within the body. The body may furthermoredefine at least one opening through which at least one of the pluralityof light sensors is operationally illuminated by the ambient light.

A light channel may be provided through which the ambient light isoperationally channelled, through the at least one opening, toilluminate the at least one of the plurality of light sensors. The lightchannel may a light-conductive material, such as fiber optic thread.

Each of the plurality of light sensors may, in one exemplary embodiment,be housed within a respective chamber defined within the body, and eachof the chambers may be provided with an opening through which arespective one of the plurality of light sensors is operationallyilluminated by the ambient light.

According to further aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of manufacturing an input device according to any one of thepreceding claims.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided kit including an input device according to any one of thepreceding claims, and a computer system.

Other features of the present invention will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1F are perspective, and sectional, views of a user inputdevice, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,and illustrate the fluid channel or passages defined through a body ofthe input device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the location of movable elementswithin the fluid channels that are defined within the body of the inputdevice, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a pivot movement of a movableelement within a fluid channel responsive to a fluid flow between aninlet and an outlet of the relevant fluid channel, according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a series of side views that depict the movement of amovable element within a fluid channel of the input device, responsiveto a fluid flow through the relevant channel, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a comb of movable segments that mayconveniently be manufactured for insertion into the body of an inputdevice, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate the location of light sensors within the body ofan input device, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention,and also the location of openings through which these light sensors maybe illuminated by ambient light.

FIGS. 7A-7B are plan and perspective views of an alternative embodimentof an input device, where the locations of the openings through whichthe light sensors are illuminated are different from those illustratedin FIGS. 6A-6B.

FIG. 8 illustrate how a hand gesture of a user may be utilized tointerfere with ambient light passing through an opening of the body ofthe input device, the relevant user gesture to be sensed by the inputdevice, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a user input device, according to yet afurther exemplary embodiment of the present invention, that includes abifurcated fiber optic thread for channeling both ambient and artificiallight to a light sensor.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating electronic components of a userinput device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, that uses ambient light in the generation of input signals toa computer system

FIG. 11 illustrates a series of gesture-based interactions that may beperformed by users, utilizing various embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the mounting of an input device,according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to aheadset so as to allow a user to blow and suck air through the fluidchannels of the input device, thereby to generate input signals to acomputer system.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a machine, in the exemplary formof a computer system, for executing a set of instructions that, whenexecuted by the machine, cause the machine to perform many of themethodologies described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An input device, for a computer system, that utilizes ambient light togenerate input signals to the computer system, and a method ofmanufacturing the same are described. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Itwill be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details.

FIGS. 1A-1F show perspective and sectional views of an input device 10,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thatincludes a body 12 through which a series of fluid channels are defined,movable elements that are located within the fluid channels, and lightsensors that are responsive to an ambient light received into the body12 through windows defined therein, and optionally also to artificiallight that may be generated by the input device 10 itself. The intensityof the light with which the light sensors are illuminated may, in oneembodiment, be varied by the movement of the movable elements within thefluid channels. As will be discussed in further detail below, the inputdevice 10 is responsive to a user action (e.g., a blowing or a suckingaction, or a gesture or movement of the user) to generate input signalsto a computer system.

The exemplary input device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F enables a userto generate the input signals to a computer system by creating a fluidflow, in the exemplary form of an air movement or current, through anumber of fluid channels defined in the body 12 of the input device 10.A further embodiment of an input device 10, utilizing which a user cangenerate input signals by performing gestures to interfere with theambient light that illuminates the input device 10, will be described infurther detail below.

Turning specifically to FIGS. 1A-1F, FIG. 1A illustrates an uppersurface 14 of the body 12 having a number of first openings 16 definedtherein, each of the first openings 16 providing a fluid inlet (oroutlet) to a respective fluid channel 26 that is defined by the body 12.A lower surface 18 of the body 12 has a number of second openings 20defined therein, each of the second openings 20 providing a fluid outlet(or inlet) for at least one fluid channel 26. FIG. 1A illustrates themovement of a fluid (e.g., air resulting from a blowing action performedby a user) entering the first openings 16, this fluid movement beingindicated by the arrow 22. FIG. 1A also illustrates the outlet of theair from the second opening 20, this movement of the air being indicatedby the arrow 24.

FIG. 1B provides a plan view of the upper surface 14, and illustratesthe location and shape of the first openings 16, according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, FIG. 1Eillustrates a plan view of the lower surface 18 of the body 12, andillustrates the shape and location of the second openings 20, accordingto the exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 1C and 1D provide cross sectionalviews of the body 12, showing the shape of the four fluid channels 26defined by the body 12.

FIG. 1F is a perspective view showing further detail regarding theshapes of the exemplary fluid channels 26 defined within the body 12. Itwill be noted that the fluid channels 26 taper from the relativelylarger first opening 16 to the relatively smaller second opening 20,thus seeking to ensure that pressure within the fluid channel 26 atleast remains the same, or possibly increases, towards the secondopening 20 thereof.

While the fluid flow illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F is shown to be from thefirst openings 16 to the second openings 20, as a result of a blowingaction by a user for example, a fluid flow in the opposite directioncould be caused by, for example, a user performing a sucking action ator adjacent the first openings 16, thus causing a fluid flow in thedirection opposite to the directions indicated by the arrows 22 and 24.

In one embodiment of the present invention, movable elements 28 arelocated within each of the four fluid channels 26 defined in the body12, these movable elements 28 being movable responsive to a fluid flowthrough a respective fluid channel 26. The exemplary embodiment alsoproposes locating light sensors within each of the fluid channels 26such that movement of a movable element within a respective fluidchannel 26 causes a variance in an amount (or an intensity) of lightwith which the light sensor is illuminated. This variation in theillumination of the light sensor is then converted by the relevantsensor to a signal that is provided to a controller, which in turn mayutilize the signal in the generation of an input signal to a computersystem.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the location of a movable element 28within each of the fluid channels 26, and illustrates the extent ofmotion of a free end 30 of each of the movable elements 28, the extentof motion being indicated by the arrows 32. Specifically, each movableelement 28 is shown to be movable between a first position 39, a secondposition 40, and a third position 41 within a respective fluid channel26.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sequence of side views showing the movement of themovable segment 28 between first, second and third positions 39, 40 and41. FIG. 3 additionally illustrates the inclusion of an artificial lightsource 44 within the fluid channel 26. In one exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the artificial light source 44 may be a LightEmitting Diode (LED). As will be described in further detail below, theartificial light source 44 may be activated by a controller when it isdetermined that ambient light with which the sensor 38 is illuminated isbelow a predetermined minimum. Specifically, a controller located withinthe input device 10 may receive a signal from one or more light sensors38 (or a dedicated ambient light sensor) that allows the controller todetermine the intensity of the ambient light, and to activate theartificial light source 44 when the intensity of the ambient light isdetermined to be below the predetermined minimum. In one embodiment, thecontroller may operate to control the intensity (or amount) of theartificial light that emanates from the artificial light source 44 so asto supplement the ambient light. This ensures that the intensity of thelight with which the light sensor 38 is illuminated is maintained withina certain parameters, or above a predetermined minimum intensity. Forexample, where the intensity of the ambient light is by itselfsufficient to ensure proper operation of the sensor 38, the artificiallight source 44 may be completely switched off. On the other hand, whereambient light is present, but the intensity thereof is not sufficient toensure proper operation of the light sensor 38, the artificial lightsource 44 may be activated to generate an artificial light that, whencombined with the present ambient light, has an intensity sufficient toensure proper operation of the light sensor 38. Where ambient light issubstantially absent (e.g., when operating in the dark), the intensityof the artificial light generated by the artificial light source 44 canbe increased so that the light sensor 38 is sufficiently illuminated bythe artificial light source 44 alone. Accordingly, the artificial lightsource 44 may be controlled by the controller to supplement the ambientlight with which the light sensor 38 is illuminated in accordance with ameasured or determined intensity of the ambient light.

FIG. 3 illustrates the artificial light source 44 as being positionedsuch that the movement of the movable element 28 into the secondposition 40 also serves to obstruct both the artificial light generatedby the source 44, and the ambient light received through the window 36.Accordingly, FIG. 3 shows the artificial light source 44 as beinglocated adjacent to the window 36 within the fluid channel 26.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a movable element 28 located within afluid channel 26, and shows pivoting movement of the movable element 28around a fixed end 34 thereof that, in one exemplary embodiment, issecured to the body 12 within a fluid channel 26 having the first andthe second openings 16 and 20. The fluid channel 26, as described above,may include a first opening 16 and a second opening 20 by which fluidscan enter and exit the fluid channel 26 and cause pivotal movement ofthe movable member 28 about an axis defined by the fixed end 34 of themovable element 28.

An opening, in the exemplary form of the window 36, is also shown toenable ambient light from outside the body 12 to enter a fluid channel26. Also shown to be located within the fluid channel 26 is a lightsensor 38 that is illuminated by ambient light received into the fluidchannel 26 via the window 36 when the movable element 28 is in the firstposition 39, indicated in solid line, in FIG. 3. However, when themovable element pivots towards the second position 40, indicated inbroken line in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated the movable element 28increasingly obstructs the ambient light to which the sensor 38 isexposed. For example, an air current injected into the fluid channel 26via the first opening 16 will cause the movable element 28 to pivotabout its fixed end 34 and to move from the first position 39 towardsthe second position 40, progressively reducing the amount of ambientlight with which the sensor 38 is illuminated as it moves towards thesecond position 40. The degree of movement of the movable element 28may, in one embodiment, be dependent upon the force or pressure exertedby the air current injected into the first opening 16. Accordingly, bycontrolling the force of the air current inserted into the first opening16, a user is able to exercise control over the degree to which thesensor 38 is illuminated by ambient light received into the fluidchannel 26 via the window 36, and also optionally artificial lightreceived from an artificial light source 44.

One or more contacts, as fully described in a co-pending U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 10/402,729, filed Mar. 28, 2003, may also beincorporated into the input device 10. Specifically, in the exemplaryembodiment, the movement of the movable element 28 towards a thirdposition 41, also illustrated in broken line in FIG. 4, causes theclosing of a physical contact to thereby register the movement of themovable element 28 into the third position 41. Referring again to FIG.3, in one exemplary embodiment, contacts 42 may be located on the insidewall of the fluid channel 26, the contacts 42 being activated as themovable element 28 moves into a position adjacent to the relevantcontacts 42. In various embodiment of the present invention, thecontacts 42 may be brushes, wires, or pin contacts, or may beimplemented as switches to enable the sensing of discreet functions(e.g., clicking and other functionalities). It will be appreciated thatthe movement of the movable element 28 towards the third position 41 maybe achieved by causing an air current flow from the second opening 20towards the first opening 16. Such a current flow may be caused by auser, for example, performing a sucking operation at or adjacent thefirst opening 16, or by performing a blowing operation at or adjacent tothe second opening 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly 46 (or comb) of movable elements 28,according to an exemplary embodiment to the present invention, that mayconveniently at the manufactured for insertion into the four fluidchannels 26. As illustrated, the assembly 46 includes a rod 47 fromwhich the four movable elements depend, and to which the four movableelements 28 are fixedly secured at their respective fixed ends 34. Inone embodiment, the rod 47 is constructed of a flexible material so asto allow it to be bent or deformed and to be inserted into acomplimentary groove defined within the body 12 of the input device 10.In various embodiments of the present invention, the movable elements 28may be opaque or have a limited to transparency so as to enable themovable elements 28 to obstruct the transmission of light. The movableelements 28 may be non-transparent and may be movable in two directions.Further, the assembly 46 may include springs or other mechanical systemsto bias the movable elements 28 into a particular position, and providea predetermined degree of resistance to movement in one or moredirections.

FIGS. 6A-6 b show perspective views providing further details regardingthe location of light sensors 38 within the four fluid channels 26defined within the body 12 of the exemplary input device 10.Specifically, FIG. 6A is a plan view of the body 12 and shows four lightsensors 38, each of which is located within a separate fluid channel 26.The body 12 is also shown to define an opening, in the exemplary form ofa window 36, within each of the fluid channels 26 so as to expose arespective light sensor 38 to ambient light outside of the body 12. Itwill be appreciated that the ambient light that is permitted to enterthe body 12 through the windows 36 may be natural light, or maybeartificial light (e.g., generated by fluorescent and/or incandescentlights). FIG. 6A also illustrates two artificial light sources 44 fromwhich artificial light is piped by channels, in the exemplary form of afiber optic thread 48, so that the light sensors 38 may optionally beilluminated by the artificial light. The ends of the fiber optic threads48 may be located such that the illumination of the light sensors 38 bythe artificial light emanating from the fiber optics 48 is controllableby the positioning of a respective movable element 28 within a fluidchannel 26. FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the body 12, and showsthe location of the respective windows 36 for allowing the entry of theambient light into fluid channels 26. The various light sensors 38 mayfurthermore each be mounted in an angled position within the body 12 soas to optimize illumination of a sensing surface of each of the relevantlight sensors 38.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, where the windows 36 are defined within the body 12 so as tomake the input device 10 particularly suited for gesture-based input.The location of the window 36 adjacent to the upper surface 14, and at adistance from the other windows 36, allows a user to restrict thepassage of ambient light through the window 36 without necessarilyobstructing the passage of ambient light through the other windows 36.The embodiment shown in FIG. 7B has windows that are sufficiently spacedso as to enable a user conveniently to obstruct or restrict the passageof ambient light through these windows 36, without obstructing thepassage of light through any of the other windows 36.

FIG. 8 illustrates a gesture-based interaction by a user with theexemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrates it in FIG. 7B.Specifically, the user is shown to cast a shadow 37 over the window 36,thereby obstructing the passage of ambient light through the window 36and onto an associated light sensor 38.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet a further exemplary embodiment of aninput device 10, according to the present invention. Instead of havingthe windows 36 discussed above with reference to FIG. 8, a number ofopenings 50 are defined in body 12 that expose the end of a fiber opticthread 52 that pipes ambient light 54 into the body 12 and directs thisambient light 54 to the sensing surface of a light sensor 38. Again, amovable element 28 may be optionally located within a fluid channel 26 oas to be movable relative to the light sensor 38 so as to obstruct theillumination of the light sensor 38 by the ambient light 54 channeledthrough the fiber optic thread 52.

The fiber optic thread 52, in a further embodiment, may be bifurcated asillustrated in FIG. 9 with a second input end being coupled to anartificial light source 44 so as to enable supplementation of theambient light 54 with artificial light 56 generated by the artificiallight source 44. The artificial light source 44 is furthermore shown tobe coupled to a controller 58, which is in turn coupled to a furtherambient light sensor 60 that is exposed to ambient light through afurther opening 62 defined in the body 12. The controller 58operationally receives a signal from the ambient light sensor 60indicative of the intensity of the ambient light 54. Based on thisreceived signal, the controller 58 makes a determination as to whetherthe intensity of the ambient light 54 is below a minimum threshold. Ifso, the controller 58 operates to activate the artificial light source44 to generate the artificial light, thereby to supplement the ambientlight with which the light sensor 38 is illuminated via the fiber opticthread 52.

In another embodiment, a separate ambient light sensor 60 need not beprovided, and the controller 58 may be coupled to receive a signalindicative of the intensity of the ambient light 54 directly from thelight sensor 38, or a collection of light sensors 38. In thisembodiment, a closed-loop control circuit is effectively established toensure that the light sensor 38 is sufficiently illuminated.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the inputdevice 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Thecomponents of the input device 10 are shown to include an array of lightsensors 38, each of which is coupled to provide an intensity signal 64to a controller 58. The input device 10 also includes an array ofcontacts 42 that each provide a contact signal 65 to the controller 58.

The controller 58, in turn, includes a control signal generator 66 thatreceives the various intensity signals 64 from the light sensors 38, andthe contact signals 65 from the contacts 42, and generates an inputsignal 68 to a port 70 of a computer system 72. The port 70 includes adriver 74 that interprets the received input signals 68 into a commandto be communicated to an application executing on the computer system72, for example. The control signal generator 66 may be implemented assoftware, hardware, firmware or some combination within the controller58.

The control signal generator 66 may, in various embodiments, generate awide range of input signals 68 to the computer system 72 based on theintensity and contact signals 64 and 65 that provide as input thereto.Various combinations and permutations of the various signals, as well astiming events related to changes in (or the provision of) the signal 64and 65 may be interpreted by the control signal generator 66 to generatemultiple input signals 68 to the computer system 72. Furthermore, thecontrol signal generator 66 may, in computing and generating an inputsignal 68, may take into account the strength of an intensity signal 64received from one of the light sensors 38, as well as a change in one ormore of the intensity signals over a period of time. For example, arapid decrease in an intensity signal 64 from one or more of the sensors38 may indicate a rapid gesture or a forceful input of fluid into afluid channel 26. This rapid change in an intensity signal 64 may beinterpreted by the control signal generator 66 in a specific manner togenerate a specific input signal 68 to the computer system 72.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the four lightsensors 38 may be associated with a particular direction of movement(e.g., up, down, left, and right) so as to allow a user, by varying thelight intensity to which a relevant sensor 38 is exposed, to control thedirection of movement of a cursor across a user interface. In thisembodiment, the strength of the intensity signal may be inverselyproportional to the speed at which the cursor is advanced in a directionassociated with the sensor. For example, if the intensity signal 64 wereto be detected by the control signal generator 66 to drop to a very lowlevel, this may indicate that a forceful fluid current has been directedthrough an appropriate fluid channel 26. This low level of the intensitysignal 64 may accordingly be interpreted by the control signal generator66 as signaling that a cursor should be advanced in the relevantdirection at a relatively high speed.

In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the rate of change in anintensity signal 64 may result in the control signal generator 66interpreting a different type of command, depending on the rate ofchange. For example, a more gradual decrease in an intensity signal 64may be interpreted to generate an input signal 68 indicating directionmovement controls for a cursor. A more rapid decrease in the intensitysignal 64 may be interpreted as a selection event (e.g., a “click”),resulting in the generation of an appropriate input signal 68 to thecomputer system 72.

While the contacts 42 are described, in one embodiment, as beingactivated by movement by a movable element 28, in an alternativeembodiment, these contacts 42 may be activated by buttons (not shown)located on the input device 10, these buttons being directly activatedby a user. Further, a receipt of a contact signal 64 may be interpretedby the control signal generator 66 as a “mode switch” signal, wherebythe input device 10 can be switched between an air-based interactionmode and a gesture-based interaction mode.

The controller 58 is also shown to include an artificial light sourceactivator 76, which may again be implemented in software, hardware,firmware or some combination thereof. The artificial light sourceactivator 76 receives an ambient light intensity signal 78 from theambient light sensor 60 and, based on the strength of the signal 78,activates the artificial light source 44 in the event that the intensityof the ambient light is detected to or below a predetermined minimumthreshold.

In one embodiment, the artificial light source activator 76 may becoupled to receive the intensity signal 64 from each of the lightsensors 38 included in the array, and performs an averaging functionwith respect to the intensity signals 64. In this way, the artificiallight source activator 76 is provided with a less biased reading of theintensity of the ambient light than is provided by a single light sensor38. In one embodiment, the artificial light activator 76 may perform acyclic sampling of the intensity signal 64 in order to calculate theaverage intensity of the ambient light.

Various embodiments of the present invention that had been discussed maybe capable of fluid-based or gesture-based interaction, or may includethe capability to be reactive to both fluid-based and gesture-basedinteractions by users. FIG. 11 illustrates three exemplary userscenarios in which embodiments of the input device 10 may be deployedfor gesture-based interactions. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram, firstlyillustrating a user scenario in which the input device 10 is deployed aspart of a user's belt, allowing the user to input signals by performinggestures as indicated by the arrows. In a second user scenario, theinput device 10 may reside on a desktop, and be sensitive to usergestures that inhibit or promote the intake of ambient light into theinput device 10. A third exemplary use scenario illustrated in FIG. 11shows the deployment of an input device 11 according to one embodimentas providing input to a dedicated system or machine (e.g., a kiosk) thatincludes as a subcomponent a computer system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a further use scenario, in which the input device 10may be coupled to a headset 78 so as to allow the input device 10 to behead-mounted. A head-mounted use, it will be appreciated, enablesconvenient inhaling and exhaling in the vicinity of the first openings16 by a user.

The input device 10 may also include a communication circuitry (notshown) so as to enable the input device 10 to provide the input signal68 wirelessly to the computer system 72. In one embodiment, thecommunication circuitry may comprise Bluetooth circuitry so as to enablecommunication of the input signal 68 to a Bluetooth receiverincorporated within a computer system 72.

FIG. 13 shows a diagrammatic representation of machine in the exemplaryform of a computer system 100 within which a set of instructions, forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, may be executed. In alternative embodiments, themachine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g.,networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-clientnetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. The machine may be the input device10, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance,a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executinga set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions tobe taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The exemplary computer system 100 includes a processor 102 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both),a main memory 104 and a static memory 106, which communicate with eachother via a bus 108. The computer system 100 may further include a videodisplay unit 110 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode raytube (CRT)). The computer system 100 also includes an alphanumeric inputdevice 112 (e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (UI) navigation device114 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 116, a signal generation device118 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 120.

The disk drive unit 116 includes a machine-readable medium 122 on whichis stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 124)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein. The software 124 may also reside, completely or at leastpartially, within the main memory 104 and/or within the processor 102during execution thereof by the computer system 100, the main memory 104and the processor 102 also constituting machine-readable media.

The software 124 may further be transmitted or received over a network126 via the network interface device 120.

While the machine-readable medium 192 is shown in an exemplaryembodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium”should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium thatis capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions forexecution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any oneor more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term“machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to included, butnot be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, andcarrier wave signals.

Thus, an input device for a computer system, the input device utilizingambient light to generate input signals to a computer system, and theirmethod of manufacturing the same have been described. Although thepresent invention has been described with reference to specificexemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

The various embodiments of the input device 10 described above areadvantageous in that they allow a user to provide input to a computersystem without requiring that the user physically and directlymanipulate the input device 10 itself, or any component thereof. Thismay be particularly advantageous where it is inconvenient for the userto perform such a physical manipulation (e.g., where the user's handsare unavailable to perform such manipulation).

The present invention also extends to a method of manufacturing an inputdevice 10, for example according to any one of the various exemplaryembodiments discussed above. Specifically, a method of manufacturingincludes a forming the body 12, defining a plurality of fluid channels26 in the body 12, locating a respective light sensor 38 within each ofthe fluid channels 26, and locating a movable element 28 within each ofthe fluid channels 26 so that the movable element is movable between afirst position in which an associated light sensor 38 is illuminated bylight (either ambient or internally generated) of a first intensity anda second position in which the associated light sensor 38 is illuminatedby light of a second intensity. Optionally, an artificial light source24 may also be located within a fluid channel 26 associated with eachlight sensor 38 to supplement ambient light with which the lightsensitive 38 may be illuminated. A number of openings (e.g., windows)are also defined within the body 12, and the light sensors 38 arelocated within the body 12 so as to be illuminated by ambient lightreceived into the body 12 through the openings.

In the present invention also extends to a kit including a computersystem, or a device including a computer system, and an input device 10according to the present invention.

1. An input device to provide input to a computer system, the inputdevice comprising: a body defining a fluid channel; a movable elementlocated to be movable responsive to a fluid flow through the fluidchannel; and a light sensor located such that movement of the movableelement varies an intensity of light with which the light sensor isilluminated, the light sensor being to generate an input signal inaccordance with the intensity of the light with which the light sensoris illuminated.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body defines aplurality of fluid channels, the device further including: a pluralityof movable elements, each of the plurality of movable elements beingassociated with a respective one of the plurality of fluid channels andbeing movable responsive to a fluid flow through the respective one ofthe plurality of channels; and a plurality of light sensors, each of theplurality of light sensors being associated with a respective one of theplurality of movable elements such that movement of the respectivemovable element varies an intensity of light with which the light sensoris illuminated, each of the plurality of light sensors being able togenerate one of a plurality of input signals in accordance with theintensity of the light with which the respective light sensor isilluminated, each of the plurality of input signals operationallyproviding a distinct input to a computer system.
 3. The device of claim1, wherein the movable element is located within the fluid channel so asto be movable responsive to the fluid flow therethrough.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the movable element is secured to the body at afixed end thereof so as to be pivotably movable within the fluidchannel.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the body defines an inletopening and an exhaust opening for the fluid channel.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the body defines an opening through which the lightsensor is operationally illuminated with ambient light, and the lightsensor is located such that the movement of the movable element variesan intensity of ambient light with which the light sensor isilluminated.
 7. The device of claim 1, including a light channeloperationally to channel the ambient light through the opening toilluminate the light sensor.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the lightchannel comprises a light-conductive material.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the light-conductive material comprises a fiber optic thread.10. The device of claim 6, including a window that is located in theopening through which the light sensor is operationally illuminated withthe ambient light.
 11. The device of claim 1, including an artificiallight source operationally to supplement the ambient light.
 12. Thedevice of claim 11, including an ambient light sensor operationally tosense an intensity of the ambient light, and a controller to activatethe artificial light sensor when the intensity of the ambient light, assensed by the ambient light sensor, is below a predetermined minimum.13. The device of claim 11, wherein the artificial light source isoperationally to supplement the ambient light in accordance with ameasured intensity of the ambient light.
 14. The device of claim 11,wherein the artificial light source is operationally to supplement theambient light so as to illuminate the light sensor with a combinedintensity above a predetermined minimum intensity.
 15. An input deviceto provide input to a computer system, the input device comprising: aplurality of light sensors, each to generate a discrete output, andarranged operationally to be illuminated by ambient light; and acontroller, coupled to each of the plurality of light sensors, andoperationally to generate an input to a computer system based on atleast one discrete output received from the plurality of light sensors.16. The input device of claim 15, including a body to which each of theplurality of light sensors is attached.
 17. The input device of claim16, wherein each of the plurality of light sensors is accommodatedwithin the body.
 18. The input device of claim 15, wherein the bodydefines at least one opening through which at least one of the pluralityof light sensors is operationally illuminated by the ambient light. 19.The input device of claim 18, including a light channel through whichthe ambient light is operationally channelled, through the at least oneopening, to illuminate the at least one of the plurality of lightsensors.
 20. The input device of claim 19, wherein the light channelcomprises a light-conductive material.
 21. The input device of claim 20,wherein the light-conductive material comprises a fiber optic thread.22. The input device of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of lightsensors is housed within a respective chamber defined within the body,and each of the chambers is provided with an opening through which arespective one of the plurality of light sensors is operationallyilluminated by the ambient light.
 23. A method of manufacturing an inputdevice according to any one of the preceding claims.
 24. A kit includingan input device according to any one of the preceding claims, and acomputer system.